Published: Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 4:27 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 4:27 p.m.

Four days after a man was shot to death in a driveway on Southwest Third Street in Ocala, residents in the neighborhood said the incident culminated from an unfortunate set of circumstances and that they have no reason to be fearful.

Meanwhile, the family of Julius Jerome Jacobs, 40, finalized plans for his wake and funeral. And detectives with the Ocala Police Department are preparing to meet with representatives from the State Attorney's Office to outline their investigation and findings.

OPD received a call at 9:32 p.m. Friday that a man had been shot in the 1900 block of Southwest Third Street. Police were told that Jacobs had pulled into a driveway and there was a confrontation between him and three other people. Jacobs was shot in the face and collapsed.

The trio he was arguing with ran away. Officials pronounced Jacobs dead at the scene.

On Tuesday, detectives said they do not want to release too much information about what happened that night until they meet with prosecutors. They did say that what began as an argument between Jacobs and three subjects — two age 16, one age 17 — escalated.

Officials said they have talked with the three juveniles, whose names have not been released, and also are interviewing other people.

They said they recovered a 9mm handgun that will be tested in a forensics lab to determine if it was the weapon used in the shooting.

When asked if Jacobs was armed, detectives declined to say.

Chief Assistant State Attorney Ric Ridgway confirmed that OPD officials are scheduled to meet with representatives from his office, but would not say when. He said his office will review all the evidence and statements and, if no follow-up investigating needs to be done, will render a determination as to whether any arrest or arrests should be made.

A woman who lives at the property where Jacobs died said she is not fearful and believes the shooting was "just a random act that just so happened to occur in my driveway." She declined to give her name, suggesting privacy and safety concerns.

Capt. Richard Edwards, the west side district commander for OPD, said he grew up in the neighborhood, which is known as Poinciana Heights. He still lives there with his family.

Edwards said the area does not have a history of frequent criminal activity and that residents have not expressed any concerns or fears to him.

Jermaine Lane, 35, who has lived in the 1600 block of Southwest Third Street for two years, said that, when he grew up in the area, the most he had to worry about was crossing State Road 40 when heading to football practice.

He said he feels a sense of frustration, however, because of senseless shootings in general on Ocala's west side. Given the opportunity, he said, he would move.

"I love the neighborhood, but if it was up to me, I wouldn't raise my family here," Lane said.

Lane said a generation gap is the root explanation for some of the violence in the community. Nowadays, he said, the younger generation plays video games where they shoot people, or they walk around with guns. The Rev. Richard Howard Sr. said he feels safe in his home of nearly 50 years, which is at Southwest 17th Avenue and Southwest Third Street.

"There's no fear; the neighborhood is still safe. It's just an unfortunate incident that happened," he said. "The OPD patrols the area a lot, and if you call them, they respond quickly. I exercise and walk in the neighborhood, and worry about the dogs more than people."

A candlelight vigil was held over the weekend in memory of Jacobs, a father of five. A memorial with balloons, candles, teddy bears and his picture has been created at the spot where he died.

A wake will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Welcome Stranger Missionary Baptist Church, 906 NW Ninth Ave., Ocala, where Jacobs was the assistant choir director.

Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at The House of God of Keith Dominion, 2830 NW 27th Ave., Ocala.

<p>Four days after a man was shot to death in a driveway on Southwest Third Street in Ocala, residents in the neighborhood said the incident culminated from an unfortunate set of circumstances and that they have no reason to be fearful.</p><p>Meanwhile, the family of Julius Jerome Jacobs, 40, finalized plans for his wake and funeral. And detectives with the Ocala Police Department are preparing to meet with representatives from the State Attorney's Office to outline their investigation and findings.</p><p>OPD received a call at 9:32 p.m. Friday that a man had been shot in the 1900 block of Southwest Third Street. Police were told that Jacobs had pulled into a driveway and there was a confrontation between him and three other people. Jacobs was shot in the face and collapsed.</p><p>The trio he was arguing with ran away. Officials pronounced Jacobs dead at the scene.</p><p>On Tuesday, detectives said they do not want to release too much information about what happened that night until they meet with prosecutors. They did say that what began as an argument between Jacobs and three subjects — two age 16, one age 17 — escalated.</p><p>Officials said they have talked with the three juveniles, whose names have not been released, and also are interviewing other people.</p><p>They said they recovered a 9mm handgun that will be tested in a forensics lab to determine if it was the weapon used in the shooting.</p><p>When asked if Jacobs was armed, detectives declined to say.</p><p>Chief Assistant State Attorney Ric Ridgway confirmed that OPD officials are scheduled to meet with representatives from his office, but would not say when. He said his office will review all the evidence and statements and, if no follow-up investigating needs to be done, will render a determination as to whether any arrest or arrests should be made.</p><p>A woman who lives at the property where Jacobs died said she is not fearful and believes the shooting was "just a random act that just so happened to occur in my driveway." She declined to give her name, suggesting privacy and safety concerns.</p><p>Capt. Richard Edwards, the west side district commander for OPD, said he grew up in the neighborhood, which is known as Poinciana Heights. He still lives there with his family.</p><p>Edwards said the area does not have a history of frequent criminal activity and that residents have not expressed any concerns or fears to him.</p><p>Jermaine Lane, 35, who has lived in the 1600 block of Southwest Third Street for two years, said that, when he grew up in the area, the most he had to worry about was crossing State Road 40 when heading to football practice.</p><p>He said he feels a sense of frustration, however, because of senseless shootings in general on Ocala's west side. Given the opportunity, he said, he would move.</p><p>"I love the neighborhood, but if it was up to me, I wouldn't raise my family here," Lane said.</p><p>Lane said a generation gap is the root explanation for some of the violence in the community. Nowadays, he said, the younger generation plays video games where they shoot people, or they walk around with guns. The Rev. Richard Howard Sr. said he feels safe in his home of nearly 50 years, which is at Southwest 17th Avenue and Southwest Third Street.</p><p>"There's no fear; the neighborhood is still safe. It's just an unfortunate incident that happened," he said. "The OPD patrols the area a lot, and if you call them, they respond quickly. I exercise and walk in the neighborhood, and worry about the dogs more than people."</p><p>A candlelight vigil was held over the weekend in memory of Jacobs, a father of five. A memorial with balloons, candles, teddy bears and his picture has been created at the spot where he died.</p><p>A wake will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Welcome Stranger Missionary Baptist Church, 906 NW Ninth Ave., Ocala, where Jacobs was the assistant choir director.</p><p>Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at The House of God of Keith Dominion, 2830 NW 27th Ave., Ocala.</p><p><i>Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.</i></p>